Electrical Engineer, Assistant (Joint Use Wireline Engineering)

Seattle City Light’s (SCL) Joint Use Wireline Engineering Team has an entry-level opportunity for an Electrical Engineer Assistant. Joint Use is the sharing of space on a single set of poles with multiple utilities, and our team is responsible for managing and engineering all non-SCL attachments on SCL poles. Using the guidelines in the National Electric Safety Code (NESC), we make sure each pole is strong enough to support everything attached to it, and to ensure each line is spaced far enough from buildings, roads, sidewalks, and other lines. This is essential to allowing the expansion of internet access while maintaining public safety, and we take great pride in supporting this mission. If you enjoy a mix of hands-on work with engineering theory, a job that has both office/home and outdoor work, and want to serve your community, this could be a great fit! This position reports to the Joint Use Electrical Engineering Supervisor at Seattle City Light.

Seattle City Light, a department of the City of Seattle, is one of the nation’s largest municipally owned utilities in terms of the number of customers served. Over the years we have worked very hard to keep Seattle's electricity affordable, reliable, and environmentally sound. Today, City Light is a recognized national leader in energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. 

Here is more about what you’ll be doing: 

The Joint Use Electrical Engineer, Assistants perform an interesting mix of work involving civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, as well as a lot of practical construction skills. The role is ideal for anyone who wants to gain broad experience of power utility systems. You’ll be in the group responsible for ensuring all our power poles can safely handle modernization, like broadband internet lines, 5G wireless antennas, and pole-mounted EV charging stations. You’ll learn how to design transmission and distribution poles, and gain experience in nearly every facet of line engineering between the power substation and the customer’s house meter. In a normal week, you’ll spend about three days driving around the greater Seattle area inspecting and measuring poles. If you discover problems, your time in the office/teleworking will be spent preparing instructions for line workers to fix them. 
 
 Your work will generally involve the following duties:

• Design, plan, and determine requirements for the installation, maintenance, restoration and/or relocation of overhead and underground electrical distribution systems and services related to customer-driven projects. 
• Ensure lines are spaced far enough from buildings, roads, sidewalks, and other lines so that everyone stays safe (using NESC).
• Ensure each pole is strong enough to support everything attached to it (using NESC).
• Prepare preliminary and long-range plans, estimates, budgets, material requirements, specifications, work orders and instructions, operating and maintenance instructions, special conditions and agreements.
• Prepare construction documents and monitor construction progress.
• Provide instructions to field crews and answer questions concerning design issues.
• Use 3D CAD software to model the poles, AutoCAD to create a work sketch of engineering instructions, and other programs to provide the supporting documents needed to do the work according to Seattle City Light standards.   
• Participate in presentations, special projects and other Joint Use related assignments as directed.
• Potentially assist other work groups within the Joint Use team.

Required Qualifications: 

In addition to the skills and experience mentioned below, a successful applicant will have experience that reflects a commitment to creating fair and equitable outcomes and has: 

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering OR expected to obtain the BSEE by June 2026. (If you're scheduled to obtain the BSEE by June 2026, please attach your college/university

transcript.) Other combinations of education and/or experience which provides preparation to do professional electrical engineering work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment. 
• Field assignments may entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances, high voltage energized equipment and work in or near construction sites. 
• May be required to stand, walk, or bend for extended periods of time. 
• May be required to work nights, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays. 
• Overnight travel may be required.

License, Certification and Other Requirements

Current Washington State driver's license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

Desired Qualifications - You will be successful if you have the following experience, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of overhead and underground electrical distribution design and/or other related electrical service work
• Ability to work as a team member in a diverse workforce
• Prior construction or technical maintenance experience
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 
• Ability and eagerness to learn and overcome new challenges
• Familiar with the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC)
• Ability to handle shifting and multiple priorities and to work as a team member in a diverse work force  
• Willingness to learn and accept responsibility, comply with safety rules and regulations, work efficiently, effectively and independently
• Ability to read and interpret plans, specifications, property descriptions, construction schedules, contracts and other construction documents
• BSEE focused on power systems, (Bachelor’s in Civil and Mechanical engineering are also directly beneficial to our work)
• Good computer skills especially with AutoCAD, Microsoft Office Suite, WAMS, SpidaCalc, ikeGPS and Alden One or similar applications

Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Emergency Response Commitment: 

Seattle City Light is committed to reliable service during emergencies. Through our Emergency Response Program, each employee is assigned a role—usually aligned with their regular duties—to support emergency operations. Your participation is required and vital to helping the utility stay prepared and serve our community when it matters most.

The full salary range for this position is $49.16 to $53.15 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application: 

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement 
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience. 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Who May Apply: This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications.  Seattle City Light values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle City Light encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and the City of Seattle Personnel Rule 10.3. A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with SMC 4.79.020.Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans.

Want to know more about Seattle City Light? Check out our web page: https://www.seattle.gov/city-light/about-us/careers.